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As October is Black History Month, each year group at GLPS studied an iconic member of the black equal rights movement. In an assembly on Monday 17th October the work of each year group was presented to the rest of the school.

Year 1 looked at Mary Seacole, a Jamaican lady who despite racial prejudice risked her life to save British soldiers in the Crimean war. Mary did things that few other women did in her time, and is not just a role model to nurses, but to all.

Year 2 studied Walter Tull who was one of the first ever black professional football players in Britain. Walter also served as a soldier in World War One and unfortunately died in battle. Year 2 students made postcards showing Walter as an icon and a role model for all.

Year 3 experimented with segregation after learning about Rosa Parks. Rosa was an African American Civil Rights Activist who became fed up in particular with the segregation on public buses. Rosa refused to move from the 'white area' on the bus and motivated the community to rebel against the racist systems in place. To demonstrate this, Year 3 were segregated in terms of hair colour for their lessons!

Year 4 produced diary entries and artwork based on the actress, presenter and broadcaster Floella Benjamin. Floella is from Trinidad and faced many rejections and discrimination when she moved to Britain, but has since been awarded an OBE for her contribution to television.

Martin Luther King's 'I have a dream' speech was studied by year 5. Year 5 also experimented with segregation by not allowing boys and girls to sit next to each other at lunch time or play with each other on the playground! Portrait prints of Martin Luther King were also made by Year 5.

Year 6 studied Nelson Mandela, who was the first black president of South Africa. He spent 27 years in prison before his election to try and overthrow a racist government and upon his release continued to fight for human rights. Year 6 wrote letters to him while he was imprisoned, and also produced some fantastic Banksy inspired graffiti.